Mentor Texts: Teaching Writing Through Children's Literature, K-6

by Lynne R. Dorfman, Rose Cappelli

How do children's book authors create the wonder that we feel when reading our favorite books? What can students and teachers learn from these authors and books if we let them serve as writing mentors? In Mentor Texts, Lynne Dorfman and Rose Cappelli show teachers how to help students become confident, accomplished writers, using literature as their foundation.

The book is organized around the characteristics of good writing—focus, content, organization, style, and conventions—and includes:


mentor texts that can be used to scaffold student work;
student writing examples to demonstrate how students take risks as writers;
teacher writing examples to show the power of teacher as writer;
a comprehensive annotated list of children's literature that includes specific suggestions for teaching points;
“Your Turn” lessons at the end of each chapter that show how to put the ideas into practice.
Rose and Lynne write in a friendly and conversational style, employing numerous anecdotes to help teachers visualize the process, and offer strategies that can be immediately implemented in the classroom. Each “Your Turn” lesson is built around the gradual release of responsibility model, offering suggestions for demonstrations and shared or guided writing. Reflection is emphasized as a necessary component to understanding why mentor authors chose certain strategies, literary devices, sentence structures, and words.

This practical resource demonstrates the power of learning to read like writers. It shows teachers and students how to discover the ways that authors make writing come alive, and how to use that knowledge to inspire and improve their own writing.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Professional Development, Writing, Research, School

328 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Lynne Dorfman is a writing extension teacher for the Upper Moreland School District where she has taught for 30 years. She serves the Pennsylvania Writing and Literature Project as a Co-director and develops graduate courses in writing, writing/reading connections, and assessment for the Project through West Chester University. Lynne has a B.A. in Elementary Education from Beaver College, an M.A. in Elementary Education from Bloomsburg University, and a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership from Immaculata University. Lynne also holds a Reading Specialist Certification from La Salle University.

Reviews

[Tracy]

I rarely give a 5 star review. This is my one for the year. I loved using this book as research for my Capstone project in narrative therapy.

[Laurie Williams]

I have found this book to be invaluable in ideas and writing lessons. The lessons included can be easily adapted for older grades. This book is good to have in the classroom because of the mentor texts listed and because of the writing lessons at the end of each chapter. This book is good to use for planning GNOWP demo lessons because of the great writing quotes, because of the writing lessons at the end of each chapter, and because the logical step-by-step way each writing lesson is set up is a good model for your own demo lesson.

[Heather]

I just got this at a writing training that I attended. I am really looking forward to reading it because it really supports Katie Wood Ray's quote that we, "stand on the shoulders of giants," when we use published authors to show children how they can write.

[Debbie Urso]

Lynn and Rose are 2 of the most inspirational writers I know! They are great women who composed this book with true writing samples. Although I loved reading the childrens' writing, hearing them read it is even better. It's great when an elementary student's writing can bring a room to tears.

[Sandra]

Found this book through a teacher on twitter. Found it straight forward with great mini lessons for each chapter. The most valuable thing is the list of books and authors that teachers can use in the classroom to teach writing concepts!

[Jen Munnerlyn]

This book has been ordered for the 2009-10 school year on the advice of Katherine Casey who led the NESA Literacy Coaching group meeting in Jordan in November, 2008.

[Mrs. Mcgaffin]

This is a professional book I am reading about how children's literature can help with teaching writing.

[Ellen]

Great resource for teachers of writing and reading! Makes me wish I taught reading and writing...except for the grading piece. Grading writing is a nightmare...

[Sally]

Also coming in November "Poetry Mentor Texts" same author and publisher.
http://www.stenhouse.com/shop/pc/view...

[Cheri Linton]

The whole idea of using children's books in the writing program is a no-brainer.

[Verena]

I love the focus on the teacher doing everything along with the student.